Antiphospholipid Syndrome

A 30-year-old woman presents to the physician's office for evaluation of recurrent fetal losses. She reports having had 3 past spontaneous abortions at <10 weeks of gestational age. She also reports having a history of deep venous thromboses. She denies ever being diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus but has been diagnosed with thyroid disease. Physical exam is remarkable for livedo reticularis on her thighs. Further blood testing reveals positive lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody.

Introduction

Clinical definition

autoimmune disorder that is often associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterized by thromboses and recurrent spontaneous abortions